Beyerdynamics DT880 vs T1

SteveFord · « **on:** 5 Sep 2012, 12:33 am »

I have a set of DT880s which I like just fine but some of you have upgraded to the T1.
What have you found the differences to be?
I'll be using it with a WooAudio 6 so power to drive them isn't a concern if that's an issue.

ajzepp · « **Reply #1 on:** 6 Sep 2012, 02:50 am »

I found the mids on the 880s to be slightly recessed, which I've since confirmed with a few other folks on head-fi...the T1s are more detailed with a better low end. There is a treble spike that some are sensitive to but I prefer a slightly bright headphone. Pairing them with tubes smooths it out. Overall just a more refined headphone, IMO. I've also come across people who actually prefer the 880s to the T1s, though they are few and far between. I've read many accounts of excellent synergy with the Woo amps. Comfort level is the same as the 880s, which is a good thing.

Tyson · « **Reply #2 on:** 6 Sep 2012, 03:30 pm »

T1's are better across the board. In some areas a lot better (bass and soundstage) and some areas only a little better (midrange clarity, details). But, there's something about the T1's that just really "works" for me more than any other headphone I've owned. Perhaps it's the overall character - rich but detailed, with a strong and clean bass.

milford3 · « **Reply #3 on:** 6 Sep 2012, 07:21 pm »

First off, I own (and love) the DT990 600 Ohm cans. I have never heard the T1's but the price difference between the DT 880's and the T1 is $1,100.00. My question is this: What does $1,100.00 give you in terms of sound performance with the T1's over the DT 880 or the DT 990 for that matter?

hibuckhobby · « **Reply #4 on:** 6 Sep 2012, 08:12 pm »

I keep looking at the T1's and hoping I'll get a chance to hear them at a head-fi gathering.
I have the DT990/600's and while they have great soundstage and clarity...the highs can
get a bit hard to listen to. I like them best on my SX-1250 with the 10k tone control
down 2-3db. Comfort-wise, they are hard to beat.
Hibuck....

milford3 · « **Reply #5 on:** 6 Sep 2012, 11:54 pm »

I don't consider the DT 990 harsh at all. Mine (all mine) are driven by the Schiit Valhalla tube amp which smoothes out all tones to audiophile bliss. My initial question is the T1's cost $1100.00 more than the DT880. What does this extra money buy you in terms of sound?

Tyson · « **Reply #6 on:** 7 Sep 2012, 12:26 am »

The extra $1100 gives you this - the ability to stop buying and selling headphones get off the merry-go-round. At least it did that for me. YMMV, of course. They aren't really spectacular at any one thing, but they are excellent across the board. Which is why when you first hear them they seem a bit unimpressive. But the more you listen, the more you love them. Again, at least that's how it was for me.

ajzepp · « **Reply #7 on:** 7 Sep 2012, 03:27 am »

Milford: You can get them for $1000...as much as I like them I don't think I'd pay the full retail of $1399. I got mine in a package deal and only really paid around $940. At that price they're a great buy.

Tyson · « **Reply #8 on:** 7 Sep 2012, 03:38 am »

Picked mine up used for $800. Head-Fi is a great place to look for used cans.

milford3 · « **Reply #9 on:** 7 Sep 2012, 05:04 pm »

I have been looking all over the internet for a good deal on the T1's. If anyone sees a good deal on the T1's please let me know.

ajzepp · « **Reply #10 on:** 7 Sep 2012, 11:31 pm »

You can always get them from Meier Audio for around $1k if you can't find a better deal elsewhere.

Looks like he has them for $975 http://www.meier-audio.homepage.t-online.de/

FireGuy · « **Reply #11 on:** 7 Sep 2012, 11:46 pm »

Quote from: milford3 on 7 Sep 2012, 05:04 pm

I have been looking all over the internet for a good deal on the T1's. If anyone sees a good deal on the T1's please let me know.

Milford3- If you decide to get the T1's let me know. I'll take (buy) the 990 off your hands. You can bring it with you in Oct.

milford3 · « **Reply #12 on:** 8 Sep 2012, 01:18 am »

Fireguy: If you are interested in the DT990's I'll sell them to you. This thread has poked my interest in the T1's. If you buy the 990's you will need a good amp to drive them because the 600 Ohm rating. The DT 990's have opened a new world of audio to me (and loving it) to believe the T1's will even make the "Can" experience better. Someone said a while back that he has never had so much fun in audio by getting back in the headphone world. Oh! I concur. Rock on.

FireGuy · « **Reply #13 on:** 8 Sep 2012, 01:28 am »

Quote from: milford3 on 8 Sep 2012, 01:18 am

Fireguy: If you are interested in the DT990's I'll sell them to you. This thread has poked my interest in the T1's. If you buy the 990's you will need a good amp to drive them because the 600 Ohm rating. The DT 990's have opened a new world of audio to me (and loving it) to believe the T1's will even make the "Can" experience better. Someone said a while back that he has never had so much fun in audio by getting back in the headphone world. Oh! I concur. Rock on.

Couple of considerations on the T1: 1) Gotta have that money back guarantee; 30 days should do it. 2) By dropping those 10 C notes you could be looking at a pair of Axiom M80 or M60's V3 instead...or on your way to a pair of used Revel Gem2's from Audiogon?

saisunil · « **Reply #14 on:** 8 Sep 2012, 01:29 am »

Guys do look. Into / listen to / consider LCD2s - they sound amazing

ajzepp · « **Reply #15 on:** 8 Sep 2012, 02:07 am »

The LCDs drive me nuts...I've never seen such a wide range of opinions on a flagship phone before....well, I guess the LCD-3 is the flagship now, but prior to that it just seemed that I couldn't really get enough of a grasp on whether they'd be for me. I was actually REALLY close to pulling the trigger, but then I read that some of the previous iterations were having driver issues and cracked wood problems...I think it's all ironed out now, so it's probably a great time to revisit. I know I want to hear a pair....quite badly. I think at the time the warranty was only 1 year, so now that it's two years I would feel more comfortable pulling the trigger. I do know that every single account I've heard of their customer service has been phenomenal....quite the opposite of what I saw exhibited by HifiMan on the forums, which caused me to temporarily rule out one of their phones.

All I know is that whichever of these awesome phones any of you guys buy, I want to hear back once you get them in!!

Tyson · « **Reply #16 on:** 8 Sep 2012, 02:48 am »

LCD's are good, but the T1 is better, IMO.

7x57 · « **Reply #17 on:** 14 Sep 2012, 03:37 pm »

I own a late model DT880 and an AKG K601. On any music that is vocal or midrange based, such as lead guitar or acoustic guitar, the AKG K601 is the preferred headphone. The DT880 midrange seems recessed and uninvolving in comparison to the K601. Some people prefer the K601 to the K701 as well. You don't have to pay more to get a better sound than the DT880, you just need to buy the right heradphone. Now on wide range electronic music, the DT880 is my preferred headphone, or when listening to nonvocal classical music. You do not have a midrange based voice in those cases to point up the weakness in the DT880, and its extreme frequency extension more than makes up for that. Most of the time I prefer the K601, but at times I prefer my AKG HEARO 999 because it is wireless.

elwappo99 · « **Reply #18 on:** 14 Sep 2012, 10:57 pm »

Definitely agree. The headphone amps on old receivers usually just involved a resister from the speaker taps. They are truly incredible on some older units, not to mention very very powerful.

toocool4 · « **Reply #19 on:** 25 Sep 2012, 04:02 pm »

Quote from: milford3 on 6 Sep 2012, 07:21 pm

First off, I own (and love) the DT990 600 Ohm cans. I have never heard the T1's but the price difference between the DT 880's and the T1 is $1,100.00. My question is this: What does $1,100.00 give you in terms of sound performance with the T1's over the DT 880 or the DT 990 for that matter?

The only way is to go and have a listen and see what all the fuss is about, me I think the T1 is amazing.